Blueberry plant named ‘DrisBlueThree’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of blueberry plant primarily characterized by medium-large berries with strong sweetness, weak acidity, and a nearly spherical berry shape and berries that have green flesh, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Vaccinium corymbosum.

Variety denomination: ‘DrisBlueThree’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct blueberry cultivar designated ‘DrisBlueThree’ and botanically known as Vaccinium corymbosum. This new blueberry cultivar was discovered in Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, Calif. in September 2000 as a result of a hybridization between the female parent, ‘FL98-11’ an unpatented variety and the male parent, ‘FL89-152’ an unpatented variety. The female and male parents are no longer available for comparison with the instant plant.

The original seedling of the new cultivar was asexually propagated at a nursery in Watsonville, Monterey, Calif. ‘DrisBlueThree’ was subsequently asexually propagated and underwent further testing at a nursery in Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, Calif. for seven years. ‘DrisBlueThree’ has been asexually propagated via softwood cuttings. The present invention has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, Calif.

-   -   1. Medium-large berries with strong sweetness;     -   2. Weak acidity and a nearly spherical berry shape; and     -   3. Berries that have green flesh.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the new cultivar at various stages of development as nearly true as it is possible to make in color reproductions. The photographs are of plants that are 7 years old.

FIG. 1 shows a leaf cluster.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of the upper surface of the leaves.

FIG. 3 shows the mature flowers.

FIG. 4 shows the whole fruit and a longitudinal-section of the fruit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following description of ‘DrisBlueThree’ is based on observations taken from the 2007 growing season in Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, Calif., where the age of the ‘DrisBlueThree’ plants was 7 years, while the age of the O'Neal plants were 12 years old. All descriptions are in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions. ‘DrisBlueThree’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Color terminology follows The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, London (R.H.S.) (2001).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Table 1 shows plant characteristics of the new variety compared with plant characteristics of blueberry plant ‘O'Neal’ (unpatented). Table 1 includes plant, canopy and cane characteristics.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘DrisBlueThree’ ‘O'Neal’ Plant: Vigor Strong Low Growth habit Strongly erect shrub Bushy Chilling requirement Low Medium Propagation Softwood cuttings Softwood cuttings Age 7 years 12 years Canopy: Bush height (cm) 126 134 Canopy width (cm) 109 124 Height/Width ratio 1.2 1.1 Canes: Age at maturity (years) 3 years 3 years Mature cane texture Rough Rough Mature cane diameter (cm) 0.864 cm .734 Mature cane length (cm) 83 cm 69.0 Mature cane color RHS 146C RHS 138A (yellow-green) (green) Cane renewal Strong Weak

Table 2 shows plant characteristics of the new variety compared with plant characteristics of blueberry plant ‘O'Neal’ (unpatented). Table 2 includes bud, calyx, corolla, flower and pedicel characteristics. Where “n/a” appears for a characteristic, it indicates a characteristic is not available.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘DrisBlueThree’ ‘O'Neal’ Bud: Time of bud break Early Early Flowers per bud 7 6 Calyx: Diameter at anthesis (cm) 0.52 0.658 Lobe count 5 5 Color RHS 138B RHS 145C (light (medium green) yellow-green) Corolla: Petals, general Fused into a corolla Fused into a corolla with 5 lobes with 5 lobes Length (cm) 0.936 1.014 Diameter (cm) 0.614 0.886 Aperature diameter (cm) 0.316 0.334 Mature color RHS 157B (white) RHS 155A (white) Flower: Type Perfect hypogynous Perfect hypogynous (inferior ovary); (inferior ovary); stamens attached at stamens attached at base of fused corolla base of fused tube corolla tube Shape Urceolate Urceolate Fragrance Faint Very faint Size Small Medium 50% anthesis (full bloom) March 15^(th) n/a 1% bloom Early Early Pedicel: Color RHS N144C RHS 144D (yellow-green) (light yellow-green) Length (cm) 0.892 0.478

Table 3 shows plant characteristics of the new variety compared with plant characteristics of blueberry plant ‘O'Neal’ (unpatented). Table 3 includes leaf and shoot characteristics.

TABLE 3 Characteristic ‘DrisBlueThree’ ‘O'Neal’ Leaves: Arrangement Alternate Alternate Shape Simple and elliptic Simple and broadly elliptic to slightly ovate Apex Broadly acuminate Broadly acute Base Broadly acute Broadly acute to slightly cuneate Margin Entire Entire Pubescence Glabrous Glabrous (both surfaces) Length (cm) 8.56 0.662 Width (cm) 3.82 0.344 Length/width ratio 2.2 1.9 Color, abaxial RHS 191B RHS 138 (green) (greyed-green) Color, adaxial RHS 139A (green) RHS 137A (green) Venation Reticulate Reticulate Petiole: Length (cm) 0.41 0.40 Color RHS 145B RHS N144D (yellow-green) (yellow-green) Shoots: Internode length (cm) 1.77 1.634

Table 4 shows plant characteristics of the new variety compared with plant characteristics of blueberry plant ‘O'Neal’ (unpatented). Table 4 includes berry, skin, peduncle and seed characteristics.

TABLE 4 Characteristic ‘DrisBlueThree’ ‘O'Neal’ Berry: Shape Nearly spherical Slightly oblate sphere Size Medium Medium Weight (g) 1.5 1.39 Height 1.444 1.284 (cm, pedicel scar to calyx) Diameter 1.594 1.508 (cm at equator) Height/diameter ratio 0.91 0.85 Firmness Very firm Medium firm Sweetness Strong Strong Acidity Weak Mild Season/timing (25% ripe) Early season Early season Season/timing (50% ripe) May 30th June 14^(th) Pedicel scar diameter (cm) 0.142 0.16 Skin: Bloom deposition Heavy Medium Mature color with bloom RHS 98D (blue) RHS 98C (violet-blue) Mature color without bloom RHS 103A (blue) RHS 103A (blue) Immature color with bloom RHS 191B (green) RHS 143D (light green) Flesh: Color RHS 145C (green) RHS 157A (green-white) Seed: Abundance 47 per fruit 27 per fruit Color RHS 165A RHS 165B (orange-brown) (greyed-orange) Length (cm) 0.148 0.200 Width (cm) 0.1260 0.112 Length/width ratio 1.17 1.79

Table 5 shows plant characteristics of the new variety compared with plant characteristics of blueberry plant ‘O'Neal’ (unpatented). Table 5 includes the reproductive organs.

TABLE 5 Characteristic ‘DrisBlueThree’ ‘O'Neal’ Reproductive Organs: Pollination requirement Believed to be self- fertile Ovary color RHS 188A RHS 133C (green) (greyed-green) Pollen color RHS 11C (yellow) RHS 8D (light yellow) Anther color RHS 22A (yellow- RHS N170A orange) (greyed-orange) Style length, including 0.86 cm 0.810 cm stigma (cm)

-   Resistance to diseases and insects: Disease and insect resistance     are typical of blueberry plants. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of blueberry plant as described and shown herein. 